Thousands of young Kenyans staged nationwide demonstrations on Thursday, dubbed “Occupy Parliament,” to express their anger over proposed tax hikes.
Armed with smartphones and whistles, they livestreamed the protests, showcasing Gen-Z’s discontent with President William Ruto’s economic policies.
The demonstrations, which began in Nairobi on Tuesday, spread across the country by Thursday.
Protesters gathered in major cities like Mombasa, Nakuru, and Kisumu, voicing their frustration with rising living costs.
The use of social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X played a crucial role in mobilizing and livestreaming the protests.
The government had initially proposed several tax increases in a new bill, sparking outrage.
Following Tuesday’s protests, some of the hikes were rolled back.
However, the government insists on implementing some tax increases to bridge the budget deficit and reduce dependence on external borrowing.
Despite heavy police presence and clashes near parliament in Nairobi, the protests remained largely peaceful.
Thousands of young Kenyans assembled, blowing whistles and chanting slogans against the government.
They expressed disappointment at what they perceived as broken promises and a lack of consideration for the youth’s economic challenges.
Margaret, a 23-year-old jobseeker, echoed the sentiment of many protesters.
She criticized being labeled a “keyboard warrior” by authorities and emphasized the power of social media in mobilizing their generation’s voice.
The protests highlight growing tensions between Kenyan youth and the government over economic policies and rising living costs.
It remains to be seen whether the government will further adjust the tax bill or face continued public pressure.
